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Education & Human Development

Center for Disabilities Studies

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Our Funding

Close-up of Funding page from CDS's 2021-2022 annual report

The Center for Disabilities Studies had an operating budget of $6,066,386 from July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2025. The vast majority of CDS funding is realized through grants and contracts from federal and state agencies, non-profit organizations, foundations, businesses and individuals.

Included in the federal portion is $620,675 from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Community Living for our core funding as a University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities.

This U.S. government organization is responsible for implementation of the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act of 2000. CDS also benefits from gifts made by individuals and organizations.

CDS Funding SourcesPie chart titled "Funding by Source | FY2025" showing seven segments: State (34%, $2,038,499, blue), Federal (32%, $1,961,320, green), Agencies, Foundations & Businesses (15%, $926,588, pink), Fees (10%, $569,772, orange), UD Center for Disabilities Studies (7%, $430,129, dark green), University (2%, $139,323, dark blue), and Gifts ($755). A legend matches each segment with its color and label.

CDS Project-Specific SourcesPie chart titled "Funding by Domain | FY2025" showing seven segments: School Age (25%, $1,503,559, purple), TEEM (22%, $1,348,598, teal), Assistive Technology (17%, $1,052,647, pink), Interdisciplinary Pre-Service Training (14%, $858,387, green), Health & Wellness (12%, $730,183, blue), Infrastructure (8%, $463,611, yellow), and Communications & Advocacy (2%, $109,401, green). A legend matches each segment with its color and label.

 

CDS Funders

Federal government agencies

  • Federal Communications Commission
  • U.S. Department of Education

Office of Special Education Programs

  • U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

Administration for Community Living

Health Resources and Services Administration

State government agencies

  • Delaware Department of Education
  • Delaware Department of Health and Social Services

Division of Developmental Disabilities Services

Division of Medicaid and Medical Assistance

Division of Services for Aging and Adults with Physical Disabilities

Division of Substance Abuse and Mental Health

  • Delaware Department of Labor

Division of Vocational Rehabilitation

  • Delaware Department of Safety and Homeland Security

Delaware Developmental Disabilities Council

Delaware Emergency Management Agency

  • Statewide Independent Living Council

Nonprofit organizations, schools, foundations and businesses

  • American Academy of Pediatrics

  • Association of University Centers on Disabilities

  • Cape Henlopen School District

  • Education Health & Research International, Inc.

  • Freedom Center for Independent Living

  • Highmark Health Options

  • Independent Resources, Inc.

  • JPMorgan Chase & Co.

  • Lake Forest School District

  • TransCen, Inc.

  • University of Delaware

CDS Donors

CDS General Fund

  • Heidi L. Beck ‘99M
  • Mary M. Donnelly ‘00
  • Marjorie E. Gereb ‘88
  • Beth A. Mineo and Gary H. Heckert ‘72 ‘76
  • Richard E. Lytton
  • Lynn A. and Donald L. Peters
  • Michele F. Sands
  • E. F. Joseph and Elaine M. Siebold ‘03

CLSC Scholarship Fund

  • Allison Obsatz Berdoulay ‘89
  • American Online Giving Foundation
  • BlackRock, Inc.
  • Richard N. Bernard Jr. and Carol Jones Bernard ‘02 ‘06M
  • Martha A. and Timothy F. Brooks
  • Thea A. Calder ‘07 ‘09M
  • Abdallah Celestin ‘13M ‘14M and Sarah Lyman Celestin ‘03 ‘06M ‘11EdD
  • Susannah Eaton-Ryan ‘69
  • Laura T. Eisenman
  • Dana Farrior
  • Kathryn Fialkowski
  • Alisha Fletcher
  • Elizabeth German
  • Lisa German
  • Jordyn Gum
  • David S. Harrington ‘93 ‘05M and Julie Kauffman Harrington ‘94
  • Matthew D. Hearn ‘01 and Sarah Kettner Hearn ‘00 ‘08M
  • Beth A. Mineo and Gary H. Heckert ‘72 ‘76
  • Patricia Heineman
  • Todd and Amy Hudson
  • Jeffrey L. Illes ‘23 ‘25M
  • David Kitts and Bonnie Beers Kitts ‘91
  • Amy D. Lane
  • Linda M. Smith and Eric S. Murray ‘87
  • Carlos Charriez and Megan M. Pell ‘16PhD
  • Abigail C. Pyeritz Hopkins ‘09
  • Sylvia Reid
  • Barbara Hastings Serridge ‘68
  • David and Melanie L. Sipko
  • Heather Snapp
  • Merrill Spiegel
  • Diane E. Stephens ‘78
  • Sandra L. Walls

Spectrum Scholars

  • Beth A. Mineo and Gary H. Heckert ‘72 ‘76
  • Lauren and Stephen D. Shallo ‘07
  • Michael and Martha B. Sturtevant

The W.E. Tobin Fund for Visual Assistive Technology

  • Beth A. Mineo and Gary H. Heckert ‘72 ‘76
  • Anthony F. Kokoszka II ‘14
  • Sandra L. Walls

Undergraduate Program Enrichment

  • Jorge M. Soares and Elizabeth B. Bayley
  • Tracy L. Beird
  • Allison Obsatz Berdoulay ‘89
  • Michael W. Partie and Deborah E. Boyer
  • Thea A. Calder ‘07 ‘09M
  • Constance P. and Daniel A. Cecil Jr.
  • Jacob Dums
  • Laura T. Eisenman
  • Kathryn Fialkowski
  • Alisha Fletcher
  • Adley A. Gorrafa and Sheila Gorrafa ‘68M
  • Jordyn Gum
  • Brigitte Hancharick
  • Matthew D. Hearn ‘01 and Sarah Kettner Hearn ‘00 ‘08M
  • Beth A. Mineo and Gary H. Heckert ‘72 ‘76
  • Patricia Heineman
  • Todd and Amy Hudson
  • Jeffrey L. Illes ‘23 ‘25M
  • David Kitts and Bonnie Beers Kitts ‘91
  • Anthony F. Kokoszka II ‘14
  • Nathaniel H. Krauss
  • Amy D. Lane
  • Sarah B. Mallory
  • D. Scott McCoy and Kathleen Filliben McCoy ‘80
  • Martha Bibee Boston ‘82M ‘84PhD and Christopher B. McKenney ‘73
  • Cory Wellman Nourie ‘02
  • Carlos Charriez and Megan M. Pell ‘16PhD
  • Stephanie E. Raible ‘05
  • Sonja L. Rathel
  • Joseph W. Ruane ‘78PhD
  • James C. Sellers III
  • David and Melanie L. Sipko
  • Sandra L. Walls
  • William M. Ward ‘73

News From CDS

A dining services employee stands outdoors holding a plate of food. Next to the person, a teal banner reads: “University of Delaware Dining Services Celebrates National Disability Employment Month.” Dining Services honors National Disability Employment Awareness Month
Informational card titled "Blue Envelope" designed to assist first responders during interactions with individuals who have disabilities. It lists important vehicle documents—driver’s license, registration, and insurance—and provides guidance such as speaking calmly, using simple language, and avoiding physical contact. It notes possible behaviors like anxiety, non-speaking communication, and wandering, and advises calling 911 in emergencies. Logos from the University of Delaware Center for Disabilities Studies, DMV, and State of Delaware appear at the bottom. How one Blue Envelope can aid understanding between Delaware police and disabled drivers
A uniformed law enforcement officer stands beside a vehicle during a traffic stop, holding a document extended by the driver through the car window. The officer is wearing a wide-brimmed hat and a short-sleeved shirt with chevron insignia on the sleeve. The scene takes place on a sunny day with trees and a building visible in the background. Delaware launches Blue Envelope Program
Click here for more news.
Center for Disabilities Studies

461 Wyoming Road

Newark, DE 19716

Phone: 302-831-6974

TDD: 302-831-4689

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